Leopalace21 Myanmar Open to return in January

The Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, which will be the first of the four events to be co-sanctioned with the JGTO in 2018, is expected to raise the bar once again when the best players from the Asian Tour begin their early season charge.Pix:Asian Tour

Yangon, November 30: The third edition of the popular Leopalace21 Myanmar Open will return to the 2018 Asian Tour schedule in January 2018.

Jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour, the Pun Hlaing Golf Club will once again play host to the US$750,000 event from January 25-28.

The Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, which will be the first of the four events to be co-sanctioned with the JGTO in 2018, is expected to raise the bar once again when the best players from the Asian Tour begin their early season charge.

The inaugural edition in 2016 was won by Shaun Norris of South Africa who defeated Azuma Yano of Japan and Junwon Park of Korea by four shots while Australia’s Todd Sinnott triumphed at the 2017 edition in what was only his second start after he graduated from Qualifying School in January.

Josh Burack, CEO, Asian Tour said: “The Leopalace21 Myanmar Open is an important tournament on our schedule and on behalf of our talented players, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to Leopalace21 for its title sponsorship again.

“The event has also played a significant role in boosting the careers of its past champions. Norris has gone on to win in Japan after his victory in Myanmar while Sinnott is in the running to challenge for the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year honours this year.

“We look forward to welcome another worthy winner at the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open this year.”

Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) Chairman Isao Aoki said: “We are delighted to be working with strong partners like the Asian Tour for the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open again.

Our players had a great experience in Myanmar this year and we look forward to our return in January next year.

“Leopalace21 has also been a fantastic supporter of golf as their support of the event has allowed fans to watch the best of Asian golf.”

MPGA said: “We are delighted with the return of the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open as we will be treated to another week of golfing spectacle from the best players in Asian.”

MGF said: “The interest of the game amongst our people will increase with the return of the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open. We look forward to welcoming the best players from the Asian Tour and JGTO to Myanmar.”

Inaugurated in 1996, the Myanmar Open has now been staged on 14 occasions where former champions include Asian Tour stars such as Boonchu Ruangkit and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Keng-chi and Japanese ace Tetsuji Hiratsuka.

Founded in 1973, Leopalace21 is a real estate company which constructs and rents apartments, currently managing 560 thousand rooms in Japan. The company also owns and operates a 36-hole golf course and resort facility in Guam, as well as 15 overseas offices which introduce residences and offices to Japanese companies advancing into the ASEAN region.